Color

Understanding Color

How to use a color wheel

Like trigonometry, the color wheel is probably one of those things that you learned about as a young child and haven’t thought of since. However, to really understand color, you may have to dust off some of that knowledge.

Simply put, the color wheel provides a visual representation of which colors blend nicely together. It removes all the guesswork, essentially. Most models are comprised of 12 colors. However, in theory, the color wheel could be expanded to include an infinite number of shades.

Don’t worry if you haven’t memorized the color wheel just yet. There are tons of ways to access it digitally. Paletton is a website that will let you create your own color scheme from the comfort of your computer screen and ColorSchemer offers the same capabilities in an app that’s available for iphone.

What are the basic colors

We bet some of you read the last paragraph and went, “12? How are there 12 colors in the color wheel? There are only 7 colors in the rainbow. “ True. But, trust us, there are, in fact, at least 12 shades on every color wheel. Here’s how things break down:

Primary Colors: Red, blue, and yellow. Cannot be made from mixing other colors.

Secondary Colors: Orange, Purple, and Green. Can be made by mixing the primary colors together.

Tertiary Colors: The six shades that can be made from mixing primary and secondary colors.

If you’re unsure of where to start when it comes to decorating a colorful interior, one of these 12 is often a good jumping off point. Pick one and it will help you narrow down your selections until you settle on the exact shade that you love.

Changing colors with neutrals

Once you’ve selected a basic color, it’s easy to create many different versions within the same family. All you need to do is combine that color with a neutral in order to make it lighter or darker. In interior design parlance, this is known as tint, shade, and tone.

Tint: The act of lighting a color by adding white to it.

Shade: The act of darkening a color by adding black.

Tone: Slightly darkening a color by adding gray.

Many artists recommend experimenting with color by mixing paints until you have a feel for how drastically neutrals will affect a color. However, if you don’t have access to art supplies, you can easily see an example of tinting and shading by going to your home improvement store and picking up a few of those sample color palettes.

Understanding color temperature

You may have heard colors described as having a temperature. A dining room may be decked out in warm tones while your friend may have chosen a cool color to finish off her bedroom. These temperatures also describe where the color falls on the color wheel.

Reds, oranges, and yellows are often described as warm colors. They are typically more vibrant and seem to bring a sense of liveliness and intimacy to a space. In contrast, blues purples, and most greens are the cool colors. They can be used to calm down a room and bring a relaxed feel.

When choosing color temperature for a space, you should also consider the size. Using a warm color in a tight room could make things feel a little claustrophobic. However, using cool colors in a spacious room could leave things feeling stark.

12 Rules of Decorating with Color

Do use neutrals generously

Think of them as the rice in your paella; they create a warm and totally versatile canvas to build upon.

Don't assume neutral means beige

Remember--grays, whites, creams, browns and even soft, dusty pastels all fall under the neutral umbrella. (This all-beige bedroom is a total snooze-fest.)

Do play favorites

Partial to blue? Nothing wrong with using a lot of it in one space. (Hey, it’s your pad after all.)

Don't be exclusive

That said, using too much of one hue is a big no-no. Stick to the design principle of 60-30-10 (60 percent of your favorite, and 30 and 10 percent of two other colors, respectively).

Do consider a super bright white wall or ceiling

Pop goes the beadboard.

Don't paint all four walls

Unless your goal is to live inside a tangerine.

Do mix masculine and feminine hues

Opposites attract, and mixing the girly with the boyish leads to visually dynamic results.

Don't be gender discriminatory

There aren’t too many dudes who would feel comfortable in an all-pink living room.

Do decorate with black

A very dark element or two provides visual depth and contrast. DON'T GO HEAVY ON IT Hey, queen of darkness.

Do pull colors from patterns

We love the way the throw pillows and rugs incorporate the blues and browns from that gorgeous ottoman.

Don't be matchy-matchy

We get it: You like coral and sea-foam green.

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Color Schemes

Complementary color scheme

When it comes to color schemes, complimentary is the simplest. It uses two colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel. Typically one color acts as the dominant shade and the other as an accent. This means combinations like red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple.

This color combo is extremely high contrast, which means that it’s best used in small doses and when you want to draw attention to a particular design element. You could use it to make your powder room pop or to bring extra vibrancy to your home office.

If you choose a complimentary color scheme, you really need to embrace neutrals. They will provide a place for your eye to rest and keep you from becoming overwhelmed in the room.

Split complementary color scheme

If you like the idea of a complimentary color scheme, but are afraid it may be a little too bold for your tastes, split complimentary is a safer choice. To make this color scheme, you would first choose your base shade. Then, instead of choosing the color directly opposite of your base, you chose the two shades on either side of the opposite color.

Those two shades will provide a much needed sense of balance to the room. You’ll still get the visual impact of bold color, but you’ll be able to incorporate more of it instead of relying heavily on neutrals to calm the space.

Split-complimentary works best when you use your base color as the dominant. However, instead of choosing a saturated shade, try to focus on a color that is more muted. Then, go bold with your other two shades in the room’s accent pieces.

Analogous color scheme

The analogous color scheme refers to using three colors in a row on the color wheel. Typically, two colors will be either primary colors with the third shade being a mix of the two and a secondary color. For example, you could choose red, orange, and yellow or red, purple, and blue.

The key to using this color scheme successfully is proportion. Again, the 60-30-10 Rule comes into play. You’ll want to choose one color to be the dominant shade, one to support the dominant, and the third, most vibrant color as an accent.

Interestingly, you can also create a similar color scheme using neutrals. It’s typically referred to as a monochromatic color scheme. Simply choose black, white, and gray in lieu of brighter shades.

Triadic color scheme

Triadic color schemes, sometimes also referred to as a triad, refers to using three colors with equal space between them on the color wheel. The three primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) are a perfect example, as are the three secondary colors.

This type of color arrangement is often extremely bold. Since the colors are in such high contrast and pure hues are often used, you’ll most often see this scheme in children’s bedrooms or playroom areas.

When using colors that are this lively, it’s always important to consider the spaces that are nearby. You wouldn’t want to put two different triadic color schemes next to each other. That would be too busy. Instead, make sure that the rooms next to your triadic space are calmer and mostly neutral.

Tetradic color scheme

After the triadic scheme, things get a little more complicated. We’re moving on to balancing four colors in the space. The tetradic scheme, also sometimes referred to as a rectangle scheme because of the shape it makes on the color wheel, focuses on using two distinct pairs of complimentary colors.

In this scheme, color temperature plays a very important role. Try to make sure that you choose two warm colors and two cool colors to fill the space rather than an odd number. Using an even amount of both will help bring balance to the space.

It’s also important to vary how we view the colors. Look for patterns that fall within your color scheme and don’t hesitate to mix them among your solid pieces. If you use all solids, the room will seem overly saturated, but too many patterns will clash, so focus on choosing one or two to help break up the space.

Top Colors of 2019

Last year was all about bringing an edgier palette into the home–with vibrant reds, modern metallics, and variations of the statement black accent wall. Unlike 2018’s color trends, 2019 is taking a more mindful, lifestyle-based approach to the development of new shades. Most paint brands have released their colors of the year. Pantone's 2019 Color of the Year is Living Coral. From powerful aquas to soft terracottas, companies are connecting the dots between consumers' home lives, mental demands, and digital engagement, which inspired many of the color picks this year.

Square color scheme

The square color scheme is very similar to rectangular in both number and name. It uses four shades, but instead of focusing on opposing pairs, the colors are evenly spaced throughout the color wheel.

No matter which colors you choose, this scheme will be comprised of one primary, one secondary and two tertiary colors. Vary the intensity of the four colors by making two shades more neutral and two a little bolder.

Again, similarly to the tetradic scheme, you’ll want to pay attention to achieving an equal number of warm and cool colors. But, rather than giving equal attention to both color pairs, you should pick one shade to dominate the space and use the other three as accents.

For design consultations on achieving a color block atmosphere in your home, contact us for a free consultation.

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Misty Blues

In 2019, we're going to see blues with a softened mistiness and haze. This moody blue has a calming grey undertone that promotes a more serene energy in the home. Blues can be given a touch of purple to free our thinking, with hints of gray to ground us.

Woodsy Shades

While nature is a common inspiration for home décor, in 2019 we will see a shift from oversized botanicals to the woodlands, with mushroom grays and fern-inspired colors. Mushrooms will also continue to be a key shape in the home their earthy color–gray blended with warm brown–gives off an old world, naturalist feel.

Energizing Corals

It only makes sense for Pantone's 2019 color of the year–Living Coral–to be on your radar when you begin your home revamp. We’ll be seeing more hopeful and optimistic colors in the home, as evidenced by the recent selection of living coral, Pantone’s color of the year. Instead of using coral literally, you can separate it into its orange and pink counterparts. The mood instantly becomes energizing and uplifting.

Hunter Greens

Hunter greens are a great choice for 2019. Hunter green holds a sultry and worldly value to it, it's intrinsic in nature and all of life. It's timeless in every respect, and works beautifully with natural elements and neutral tones. What we also love about this color is how seamlessly it transitions between millwork, walls, furniture and accessories. Its gender neutral and no definition of a home feeling more masculine or feminine; it's the perfect balance of each.

Saturated Moody Hues

Currently, we love the deep saturated colors. These darker moody colors are perfect for custom built-ins and kitchen cabinetry. Ideally they work great in a room with an abundance of natural light.

Pale Pink Colorways

Pale pinks are prevailing in 2019 due to their neutral properties and compatibility with other shades. Monochromatic colorways–like pink desert sand–will be popular in 2019. It can be mixed with an abundance of white or a lemon yellow for the ideal look.

Digitally Inspired

Smart technology in the home is driving the color experience differently." Because of this, we will see higher intensity shades that mimic the edge of artificial light in a way that is "strangely familiar and obviously gorgeous. Contemporary twists on forest greens

Deep greens that are inspired by (but not directly reflective of) nature will bring the healing properties of the outdoors into the home, without feeling overly arboreal.

Optimistic Yellows

In 2019 we'll see a rise in colors that are associated with optimism, like bold yellows and oranges. Yellow, a rich and inviting color, pairs beautifully with cool blues, beiges, and pinks.

Off-Cream

The minimalist movement has encouraged many modern homemakers to live a more clutter free, thoughtful life. With this, shades associated with minimalism–creams, beiges, and whites–are being incorporated into many home palettes. Cream shades with bolder, more colorful undertones are desired for their inherent simplicity that can be manipulated with different types of lighting.

Soft Terracottas & Electric Citrus

For those who want a more elemental, nature-inspired hue with a contemporary twist in their home, this creamy rust will truly shine.

Playful, more extreme colors will be popular in 2019. The “I can do this, let’s make a change” attitude is reflected in electric tones like lime green, citrus orange, and bright yellow.

Mindful Gray Undertones

People will begin to incorporate calm grey undertones, which are associated with mindful living and smart choices. These coined "introspective shades" regard a color's undertone as equally important to the shade itself. Navys, purples, and browns with grey undertones create a subdued sense of tranquility in the home.

Dusty Blush

Millennial pink is a color of the (very recent) past. Now, softer shades like rosy neutrals and muted blushes, which reflect a spirituality, are being favored. Unlike millennial pink, these hues are less trendy and more timeless.

Jewel Toned Accents

In 2019, bring pops of color into your favorite spaces with jewel-toned furniture and accents. 2018 was the year of the neutral palette, and 2019 is all about finding balance with appropriate doses of color. Kitchen cabinets, accent walls, and furniture are all smart ways to incorporate colors like emeralds, sapphires, and aquamarines.

Raw Woods

Light, wood-inspired shades are a great alternative to traditional beiges or tans. Neutrals that take on ash, maple, or pine tones are perfect for the minimalists and color-phobics alike.

Power-Inducing Aquas

Vibrant aqua is bold on its own, but the versatile hue changes when paired with different colors (think soft pinks, pastels). While the color is easily toned down, we see aqua being used as a power color in 2019: It takes on a sense of humor and power, and is perfect for a fun accent wall, front door, or bookshelf.

Rich Muted Purple

Purple is expected to prevail in 2019. Next year, however, we should expected muted, understated versions of the color that still have that rich energy, but with a mellowed intensity that makes the shade more versatile.

Deep Berry Red

In 2019, expect to see bold, saturated reds that infuse life into a space without overwhelming it. Deep berries have comforting and cozy qualities, while simultaneously energizing a space with their rich color.

Almost White

There’s nothing more classic than an all white palette. And while pure white is a go-to for many homemakers, 2019 will be the year of “almost-whites.” These shades offer subtle nuances that adapt to different lighting, furniture, and surrounding colors. For those who crave a minimalist palette that still feels dynamic, an almost-white shade is the fool-proof choice.